Not Your Average Thanksgiving Blog

This week is Thanksgiving. A week that kicks of the busiest holiday I can think off.  A season full with you lots events, shopping, and expectations.

Thanksgiving is the day we stop and say thanks for all we have in our lives. I think this is an amazing practice to put into our daily lives.

Today I want to focus on what this holiday can be if we are not careful. I fall into many of these traps every year.

1. BUSYNESS: this is the time of year we pack our schedules to the brim. Not that they are free and clear any other time of year, we add to our ready crazy schedules. We NEED to do so many things. Yes, I think parties with friends, cookie baking, shopping, decorating, cooking for large crowds of family, wrapping, even elf on the shelf are fun...they all can cause lots of unwanted stress.

2. EXPECTATIONS: In my family these are called traditions. We can get so caught up in the things we have always done we can miss the fun new things around us. I am so guilty of this one, traditions run my life during this season, I never want any one in my life to not feel my love. Yet just because 5 years ago I thought sending a card to everyone I love would be fun does not mean it is fun now. (as your list grow, people move, letters come back, and I need to find something clever to say about our very boring life - LOL) This year I am committing to making a my "HAVE to" into I "GET to" if I feel like it would be fun.

3. LONELINESS: We are often in a room full of people feeling alone. This time of year is had for many different people. This time of year emotions are elevated for people who have lost love ones, are divorced, away from family, or dealing with an illness for themselves or someone the love (the list could go on and on). I feel like we can often look at others mountain top moments in at a time we are living in the dark valley of life. Please be aware of others valleys and if you are in a valley - you are NOT alone, we all struggle in life. For me I struggle keeping my head above water most days physically and as I see others running marathons. If I compare my bad days to their marathon I would never get out of bed. Some days I thank God I can get out of bed!

What can the root of all of the above...in my humble opinion...Un -Thankfulness! I do not take time in my life to be grateful for all I have in my life. I am too busy keeping up with the "Jones" to see my life is pretty amazing! What trap do fall into during this holiday season? Is there a way to make Thanksgiving a longer holiday than just one day with turkey?

I am going to blog or Facebook over the next few weeks my journey of Thanksgiving till Christmas. Will you join me in celebrating Thanksgiving till Christmas? Yes if you want you can have pie everyday to make it more fun ;)